Tuesday, October 27, 2009

I Dare You to Be Fit ‘n Right!

There are many benefits to being fit ‘n right. Personally, as a lover of sports, more specifically football, I need to stay fit so I can still run with younger players and remain competitive. But, more than the need to keep fit, I do feel more alive and energetic when I am fit.

I usually do a few push-ups a day and have been doing this regularly since April. Aside from that I used to play football on a regular basis and even played competitively for our football club Marikina United. I have always thought myself as a pretty fit person.

The "Dare to be Fit 'n Right" Logo

With Coach Jim Saret

But during the recent Dare to Be Fit ‘n Right launch by Del Monte Fit ‘n Right, where Coach Jim Saret, a sports scientist and a fitness consultant of the Philippine Olympic Committee, spoke about “The Science of Getting Fit and Losing Weight”, I was rocked to my core and was challenged as I learned that to say that person is in great physical condition, he must be able to:

*Bench-press one and one-half times his body weight to say that he’s got proper upper body strength,*Run a mile and a half in ten minutes to declare that he’s got lower body cardiovascular fitness,*Touch the rim of the basketball ring to claim that he’s got lower body power (but, of course height must be factored in, too),*Leg-press two and one-fourth times his body weight to say that he’s got proper lower body strength,*Swim 700 yards in twelve minutes to declare that he’s got upper body aerobic endurance,*Do forty push-ups without stopping to say that he’s got upper body muscle endurance,*Throw a basketball seventy-five feet away, on his knees, to claim he’s got upper body power,*Touch his toes to say that he’s got flexibility, and lastly,*Measure up and see that he’s got the right body mass index (BMI).

Now, as you read these, I know that for those who are not so much into exercising, they may seem like impossible goals and instead of motivating you to exercise more, they make you want to throw in the towel. But, you can always look at it another way, that is, to see all of them as a challenge. And that is how I saw them.

So right now, I am upping my number of push-ups a day and since the Dare to be Fit ‘n Right event at Taste Asia at the SM Mall of Asia, I have been trying to do forty push-ups straight. I haven’t successfully done it without stopping but I have been making it up to forty! Talk about being dared to be fit and right.

For those who are not very athletic and not into exercising, Coach Jim shared the four-minute workout, a.k.a. the F.I.T. (Fast Interval Training) workout which combines different short exercises (plank exercise, squats, push ups, lunges, crunches, side plank exercise - see video demo below) and it lets one burn 400 calories during exercise. Now, the great thing about this exercise is that calories continue burning even when a person is finished with the 4-minute workout!

To demonstrate this, a the launching of the Dare to be Fit ‘n Right campaign, a guy was asked to do the F.I.T. workout while wearing a calorie counter watch. During the workout, the calorie counter registered almost 400 calories burned and the number of calories continued to increase to almost 800 calories ten to fifteen minutes after. This is a breakthrough because usually, a person running on a treadmill for an hour only burns 200 calories. So why go the long route if the goal is only to burn calories?

In addition to all these, drinking Del Monte Fit ‘n Right two hours before the F.I.T. workout or any kind of exercise, will speed up your metabolism or, in other words, help you burn fat faster. The reason is that Del Monte Fit ‘n Right contains L-Carnitine which helps burn fat. It increases the use of fat as an energy source by transporting fatty acids into the mitochondria, where they are ‘burned’ to release energy for body functions. Del Monte Fit ‘n Right also has B Vitamins 1, 6, 12 to help speed up metabolism.

Del Monte Fit ‘n Right is so consistent with their claim and their advocacy that they organized the “Dare to be Fit ‘n Right Fun Run 2009” which will be held on November 22, 2009 at the SM Mall of Asia (you can register here). This event is not only for runners but also for those who want to help typhoon victims because this Fun Run is for their benefit through the SM Foundation. The race mechanics are available in the photo below.

2009 Dare to be Fit 'n Right Fun Run mechanics

If I did not have a schedule on the 22nd of November I would surely have joined the Dare to be Fit ‘n Right Fun Run 2009. But I need to preach that Sunday morning in our church so my contribution is spreading the word about the Fun Run.

So what are you waiting for? Get your supply of Del Monte Fit ‘n Right and start exercising. Be a fan of their Facebook page. Better yet, exercise with other advocates and join the Dare to be Fit ‘n Right 2009 Fun Run!

Fit 'N Right Four Seasons is still my favorite..been drinking it even before the bloggers event. Coupled with Coach Jim Saret's regimen I think everyone can be fit soon. Thanks Jeff for the guidelines..I was a soccer player in college too hehe.

@SurvivorDean: Push ups do burn a lot of calories but maybe you can try increasing protein intake. Without trying other exercises but doing regular push ups, you may gain weight by increasing muscle mass in the chest, shoulders and arms.

@Sire: Talaga? I didn't know you played soccer!

@edelweiza: Mahirap talaga i-discipline ang sarili. I also struggle with that. That's why this campaign is so helpful - it's fit 'n right for us who want to be fit 'n right.

Great post! Your explanation about the need to be fit and right is clear and convincing.

I agree with you that it is important for any person, both men and women to be fit and right, to be healthy. The alternative is to have a weak body which will result to a weak mind, thus sickness will follow.

As the saying goes, health is wealth and is tax free.

This is not an endorsement for Del Monte, but I believe drinking Fit 'n Right helps to have a healthy body since it is made from natural ingredients. That's the reason why I drink Fit 'n Right everyday. Not only me, but my 7 year old daughter also.

As the commercial of one drug company says in Pilipino, "Bawal magkasakit."

Therefore, your post about regular exercise to be fit and right strikes to the core. For our health and for longer life, exercise to be fit and right.

Nice to see a post about how to stay fit and healthy. I've been a soccer player throughout my elementary, high-school and college days, but ever since I started working, I haven't had a chance to play again. With this post, I'm more inclined now to push myself and pursue other sports activities that will keep me healthy. Sabi nga nila, health is wealth!

this is a tough regime.....i'm getting very unfit these days....damn...working and workiing out is not that easy for me atleast......hate it.....

didn't even get a chance to play for last 6-8 months....love sports especially Cricket and Football.....damn miss those days...when i could play the day ....and didn't even cared about anything else....

Even thought I consider most of those things that a person MUST be able to do before being considered to be in great physical condition to be utter nonsense, it is good to set goals. Therefore, I wish you well in your endeavor.

Very interesting post, I don't know anything about fit n Right Del Monte until now. Your posts open my mind to it. I am aware that I gain weight and this is the best thing for me to do, to exercise and be healthy.

This is all very interesting but personally is not something I will ever follow...I am not an unfit person but certainly do not fit into the category above either. I maintain a healthy lifestyle with homegrown organic veg and fruit and cook wholesome meals...I have an allotment which keeps me busy and get's me out in the fresh air...I do plenty of walking and enjoy doing yoga...I feel healthy and well in myself and what I do fits in with my family lifestyle..I don't think there is much point in being super fit if you have no time to enjoy yourself after and I certainly wouldn't if i tried to do all that you have written about. However for any who do wish to hit the targets I wish you all the best of luck!!

I read through the list of things you need to accomplish to consider being fit. That's quite a challenge and I wish you the best of luck with it!As for me...I'm a skinny person, and I'm not really into power sports. I prefer yoga and Pilates :)

Given that standard, I am surely not "fit." I'm not sure how many people beside high-level athletes and fitness trainers could successfully achieve all of those marks. Nonetheless, the goals are worthy benchmarks for those interested in achieving them. I'd do better writing about sports.

Hello Jeff, I think your interesting remarks about the sport, and suggestions that come on. For me, there are about 20 years who practice sports in a constant (body building) and fitness to keep me in shape. In my humble opinion, 80 percent of the results obtained are in nutrition, high protein and few carbohydrates, lots of vegetables and fruits in season. Thanks again and thanks for all the suggestions.sorry for the translation perhaps not exactly correct, have a nice day, David (45 years old) from Italy

Some of those goals are are attainable for me right now, such as the push ups, benchpress, and basketball throw. I definitely would have trouble with the jumping, due to my stature (I am just a little guy). All in all, good goals to set for a total body work out, although I did not see and mention of core training such as crunches, sit-ups, etc.

I remember those difficult lunges and crunches from my days in sports. How nice it would have been to have Fit 'N Right back then. I'll have to look into this product, because with the extensive cycling that I do it could be a perfect match for me. Thanks.

Even though I recognize the brand (Del Monte) I never heard about this product, or perhaps it has a different name here in Portugal... I´m not sure.

Due to another wrist surgery I haven´t been able to ride mi bikes and I´m looking forward for that moment... but to be true I believe that 4 minute training isn´t enough. Is better than nothing but it isn´t enough.

Every work out is good! Almost every calorie counter watches are not accurate, so...

I prefer to have fun instead of counting calories, this way it´s easier to keep exercising for longer periods of time and consequently burning more fat... I´m sure that´s what most people want, isn´t it!?

For me becoming fit has always been a challenge. I used to walk a few miles each day and found that along with eating healthy allowed me more energy and in addition to losing weight, I felt much better. I think it's all in the mindset as well. Great article.

I didn't know about Fit N Right. I already knew that I was way out of shape but the list detailing what one must be able to do to be considered in great physical condition proved it! If I could accomplish 1/4 of that I'd be happy.

I tend to do a quick work out at night. Something that is only 15mins long but is done nightly. I'll do 25 push ups rest a minute, 25 curls, rest a minute, 25 lunges, rest a minute and finish off with 25 butterflies. It's a quick workout but boy do I feel it and all in about 15 minutes.

Wow if I can do a 4 minute exercise routine and get fit, you can count me in. I will have to get some of Del Montes new drink next time my wife goes shopping. I know the older I get the better I need to take care of my body. Thanks for the post.

Jeff wrote a pretty good article. I particularly enjoyed his sharing of his personal routine which really shows how far he has to go to attain total Fitness. Personally, I use free weights and prefer to run outside over the treadmill routine.

and just like most of these people who have commented here, for sure i wanna be fit and right too. i'll try to do some of your tips here... i believe it's been a year now since i have had an exercise, & maybe i'll have some fresh air and jogging later today. with the help of a fresh drink. ^^

Napagod ako watching your video! Hahaha...but it was good because it refreshed my memory of what Coach Jim taught us that night.

I think I should do this workout on days when I can't do yoga. The plank and side planks are familiar to me as we do this in yoga. The pushups too. But the crunches and squats are new routines since we do something different to strengthen the core in yoga.

to be fit and right you need to lessen to eat fatty foods i would suggest at night oatmeal w/ banana is good! then work out like me kickboxing oh by the way i teach kickboxing if you will trained to me in 10mins. you will loose atleast 5 pounds...

running and jogging is also a good work out to be fit and right! if you don'nt want to go out to run...buy a skipping rope before taking a shower try it for 10 mins...ok? love your body and live right! Tsup! mwaaaaaaa :-)

an excellent goal! I've been on & off on my diet as well as exercise, the last few weeks. It's been extremely busy but I sure do exercise when I feel myself a little heavier and jeans or clothes don't seem comfortable anymore. One of my favorite routine is the 20-minute workout of Jillian Michaels of The Biggest Loser... It basically is a powerful one, a 6-minute strength training, 6-min cardio & 6-min abs... worked great for me:)) but I can't do push-ups like you did, lol! a traveling push-up is a little bit harder to me too:(have fun getting fit!

Hello Jeff. Thank you for all the info that you shared on how can one actually be referred to as being fit. They certainly made me think. Great to see you at the Red Ribbon event earlier and you are indeed looking "fitter" than ever.

Jeff I think this is wonderful info and of course it's absolutely wonderful to be fit. Having said that, I would NEVER under any circumstances consume Del Monte fit N right. For one thing it contains an artificial sweetener, Sucralose,which is broken down "into small amounts of 1,6-dichlorofructose, a chemical which has not been adequtely tested in humans." It is also harmful to the environment. Sugar and artificial chemicals do not help anyone become fit or healthy, they do the opposite. Fresh, raw REAL foods create health.

It's always challenging to make time for workout in my already busy schedule. I love to run, but didn't realize that I could burn more calories by doing various exercises in 4-minutes! This gives me no more excuses to not workout. I consider myself dared to be "Fit and Right".

this is one tough regimen but I'm sure it can be done. commitment to get fit is all it takes, and you must have it in you.

unlike me, even if I'm a SAHW exercise is always on the last of my priority. it's my attitude towards fitness that hinders me from committing. I have hypertension (I've had it since I was 21) and this should really push me to go for it, but I'm stuck with my once a week gym time for now plus I do indoor walking with weights once a week using the Leslie Sansone video. I know that I should be doing more but I'm lazy hahaha.

It takes a lot of hard work, will and determination in order for one to be physically fit. Diet and exercise was once neglected by yours truly. Until I suffered from hypertension.

Looking back, that's where I realized how unhealthy my life was. No healthy diet, no regular exercise. Now I make it a point to do regular walking despite my tight schedule at work. I keep watch of my diet and do away from unhealthy foods. I should be doing more but like Juliana, I am too lazy, LOL!

But I want to be Fit N' Right for my Prince so i need to double my effort ;-) He has been encouraging me to be consistent with my push-ups and I am determined to do just that!

Wow! That was great Pastor Jeff! In fact when you demonstrated the F.I.T workout in one of the youth service at the church we were all sweating after the two minutes workout how much more if we try the four minutes for sure the end result will be “ we are all catching our breath”. Thank you for posting this it encouraged me to continue my plan to be “Fit ‘n Right for the upcoming 2010”. One thing I love the Del Monte Fit’N Right pineapple.

kua jeff.... ive been wanting to enroll on a gym class but cant find time to do so.. but after watching ur demonstration of the 4-minute F.I.T workout i dont think i really have to... i'll just do it at home... thanks for sharing kua!!! :D

Jeff - This is an excellent post on the importance of staying fit. This is something that's a must for ones entire life. Staying fit will help you live longer as well. I'm in my late 50s and a healthy diet and exercise is part of my daily regimen. I salute you for your determination to stay fit and help others in that endeavor.

Wow! I like this post. It is really hard to allot some spare time for exercises. Everyone is always lacking time or in a hurry. The F.I.T workout is the solution for those who is busy as always and do not have the time to exercise.

Plus, it is nice that there's such a product like Fit n Right. Ingredients are natural and therefore healthy to the body.

Hey there Jeff just thought I would drop by, say hello and wish you luck in the contest. When the dust settles maybe we can link up and you can become an allsports friend. CheersWalt AKA All Sports on the Web

I'm not much of health buff, but I do like the taste of Del Monte Fit 'N Right. A lot more than I like Iced Tea, a tad more than I like Cola, much more than I like Fruit Shakes. Unfortunately, Beer still stands out in my book ... which should explain my opening statement. :)

But really, Fit'N Right is a great drink that helps you eliminate those excess fat build-ups SO AS LONG as you couple that with exercise. And I know that, because I do walk 2 to 4 miles twice a week. In fact, Walking is also a good way to get rid of those Holiday Bulge. Just ask your fat GF/Wife/Mistresses :) to walk 3 miles, twice a day. By the end of just one week, the cow will be 42 miles away. ;)

Keeping fit by doing some kind of exercise every day is important, but not everyone has the time to do sports. There is a lot that you can do in your everyday life to get some kind of excercise rather than none, such as walking instead of taking a bus or walking up and down stairs at home, as I do. My favourite kind of exercise is swimming.Best wishes,Anna

Ah well - a life of 39 years; and I didnt do anything to keep my body fit.But it did change since October; started working out. I feel much better (and I wasn't even feeling bad...) - AND I am even loosing a few pounds....

your post is very inspiring especially for someone like me who's starting my own program of getting back into shape, i'm into my fourth week and i think i'm doing fine. I'm a sporty person but after marriage i stopped doing it. Now I just content myself with getting back into my walking exercise of 2 kms. a day, hope i can fit it in my busy sked. keep up the good work both physically and spiritually.

Your post here is an inspiring one. I tried doing a routine workout but because of works and other stuff it seems that the supposedly routine becomes occasional. To share one good way to maintain your muscles if you're not having exercise regularly is to intense your muscles once in a while in that way the muscles will still be in good condition. That's what I've learned from my sensei way back college time.